Editor's Note

Elegantly dressed in formal attire, there's a group of people, who always actively engage in important diplomatic and foreign affairs events. Despite their busy schedule, they take time to explore the vibrant streets and alleys of Beijing, immersing themselves in the history and cultural allure of this modern metropolis. Who are they? They are ambassadors representing over 170 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, in China.

Curious about their impressions of Beijing? Which popular tourist attractions have they visited, and what cuisines do they like? Do they prefer unwinding at a cafe in Sanlitun, cycling along the riverbanks, or taking leisurely strolls after work? Moreover, what messages do they wish to convey to the people of Beijing?

To explore these questions, the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs has partnered with Beijing Daily and Beijing Radio & Television Station to create the "Beijing in the Eyes of Ambassadors" series. In today's edition, we will take you to the Embassy of Madagascar for an exclusive meeting with H.E. Ambassador Jean Louis Robinson, who will share his stories and insights about Beijing!

Beijing, A Captivating City

Ambassador Jean Louis Robinson began his tenure in Beijing at the end of 2019. Over the past five years, he has travelled extensively across China. However, Beijing holds a special place in his heart. Just as the lyrics of a song go, "having travelled to countless places and explored many renowned cities", Beijing remains his favorite.

Ambassador Robinson's connection to Beijing dates back to 2008, when he visited the city as Madagascar's Minister of Youth and Sports during the Olympics. He noted that Beijing, as the capital of China, is not only the national political center but also a modern international metropolis. "Beijing is home to countless skyscrapers, a sophisticated transportation network, and vibrant cultural activities. It also stands out for its environmental governance," he added.

The ambassador highlighted how the diverse cultural activities organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office have helped him learn more about the city. These include Peking opera performances, cloisonné art workshops, tours of historic landmarks, and field trips to urban renewal and modern infrastructure projects, as well as local enterprises. For him, these experiences reveal more about China, and particularly Beijing's rich history, dynamic culture, and modernization efforts.

"Beijing is constantly evolving," he said, praising the city's spirit of relentless innovation. He believes that Beijing is fully equipped to face any challenges the future may entail. Ambassador Robinson observed significant changes happening in the city almost every month, from infrastructure, technology to cultural development, each leaving a profound impression on him. Over the past five years as ambassador to China, he has witnessed Beijing's remarkable transformation, which has left him "completely captivated."

Beijing: A City of Leisure and Consumption

When talking about daily life, Ambassador Robinson mentioned Beijing's wide variety of leisure options, from large shopping malls to small exquisite stores. However, as a sports-lover, he particularly enjoys athletic activities like swimming, and appreciates the city's well-equipped sports facilities. "They are all beautifully designed buildings," he said.

Food is another topic Robinson talked about with great enthusiasm. He expressed his love for Chinese cuisine and was also delighted to find dishes from all over the world in Beijing. Among the local culinary offerings, Peking duck is his favorite. "I can finish an entire serving," he said.

During his leisure time, the ambassador also loves strolling through Beijing to enjoy its natural landscapes featuring very distinctive seasonal beauty. For first-time visitors, he recommends Tiananmen Square and the Great Hall of the People as must-see destinations. His personal favorites, however, are the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. In particular, the Great Wall, which he has visited three times already, yet still would love to revisit in the future.

Ambassador Robinson also expressed his appreciation for the convenience brought by digital and information technologies. From online shopping to leisurely exploring brick-and-mortar stores, he has fully embraced e-payments, saying that he has personally experienced how platforms like WeChat and Alipay make transactions much easier. When asked if he faced any challenges with daily purchases as a foreign national, the ambassador waved his hand reassuringly, saying, "I haven't encountered any problems at all. Everything is incredibly convenient."

Promoting Cooperation Between China and Madagascar

Ambassador Robinson stated that the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, recently concluded in Beijing, has instilled new hope for African countries. During the Summit, the Presidents of China and Madagascar jointly announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The ten partnership actions for modernization introduced during the summit serve as a strong support for pragmatic China-Africa cooperation across all sectors.

Speaking of the specific areas with great cooperation prospects, the ambassador highlighted agriculture. He stressed Madagascar's strong focus on agricultural production, committed to achieving self-sufficiency, and then becoming a grain exporter. With a hybrid rice research center established, Madagascar is ready to collaborate with Beijing and other Chinese regions on high-yield seed development.

Ambassador Robinson also mentioned Madagascar's abundant natural resources and the expanding presence of its quality products in Beijing's market, as demonstrated by the debut of Madagascar's national pavilion at the 2024 China International Import Expo. He said, "China has a massive market, and the consumption capacity in Beijing is particularly strong." He hopes to introduce Beijing consumers to Madagascar's premium products, including mutton, cashmere, and agricultural produce like clove, vanilla, and cocoa. He also wants to seek opportunities for energy cooperation with Beijing, from better developing and utilizing traditional resources like natural gas and coal to new energy projects in solar and wind power.

The ambassador shared a personal connection, revealing that his grandfather was Chinese, "from Foshan, Guangdong Province to be specific," he added. Perhaps it is such blood ties that drive him closer to China. He said, "In China, I have never considered myself a foreigner." He told us there are many people of Chinese descent in Madagascar and he warmly welcomes friends from China to visit, invest and start businesses in his country. He also mentioned many popular initiatives. For instance, Confucius Institutes at Université d'Antananarivo and other parts of the country have helped local Malagasy people better understand the Chinese culture, while Luban Workshops offer courses on new technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, 3D printing, and rail transit. 

Aspiring for Closer Exchanges in Culture and Tourism

In addition to economic collaborations, Ambassador Robinson emphasized the vital role of cultural exchanges in fostering closer ties between Madagascar and China. "Young people in Madagascar are passionate about Chinese Kung Fu (martial arts)," the ambassador noted, "I hope to see more intensified sports exchanges between Beijing and Antananarivo, including table tennis, swimming, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, basketball, and tennis." As the ambassador to China, he is also eager to introduce more Chinese music, poetry and films to Madagascar.  

Ambassador Robinson extended a warm invitation to Beijing residents to explore Madagascar as a vacation destination. The country is blessed with unique geographical features, making it one of the world's most celebrated biodiversity havens. Renowned for its iconic baobab trees, lemurs and other exceptional wildlife, Madagascar has also served as inspiration for blockbuster animated films like Madagascar and Zootopia. "Our country boasts a coastline stretching 5,000 kilometers and enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year. With continuous improvements in roads and infrastructure, I am confident that tourism cooperation between our two countries will reach new heights," the ambassador said. He particularly recommended Nosy Be, an island in the northwest, hailed as a "tourist paradise" and famous for its year-round fragrance from native aromatic plants. In addition, Sainte-Marie in the east is a prime destination for whale watching, where thousands of whales grace its surrounding waters each year, offering visitors the most unforgettable experience in the Indian Ocean.